Des Plaines shortens lobbyist contracts but still approves them

Des Plaines officials agreed to extend contracts for two of the three lobbying firms hired to represent the city's interests in Springfield.

But officials chose to shorten the contract extensions—reducing the length from one year to six months—saying they want to evaluate each firm's performance and determine whether the city needs all three.

Aldermen said they have had trouble evaluating firms because of a lack of access to lobbyist activities. In the past, officials said, lobbyist reports have gone through the mayor's office. Now, those reports will flow from the city manager's office to the mayor and aldermen.

The city's fiscal year 2013 budget includes $110,000 for lobbyists. City Manager Michael Bartholomew said the city planned to spend $91,200 to retain three firms: McGuireWoods ($19,200), Government Consulting Services of Illinois ($11,500) and Alfred G. Ronan Ltd. ($60,000).

McGuireWoods and Alfred G. Ronan both received contract extensions until July 1. The contract for Government Consulting Services of Illinois expires in October, officials said.

Despite the shortened contract terms, officials agreed the city still needs a voice in Springfield, particularly with looming talk of gambling expansion, changes that threaten city revenue from Rivers Casino in Des Plaines.

"Specifically in Illinois, being represented in Springfield is something we have to do," Bartholomew said.

Former Des Plaines mayor and current state Rep. Marty Moylan appeared at Monday's council meeting, as did representatives from each city lobbyist firm.

Their message: Parties that would benefit from gaming expansion -- particularly the horse-racing industry and the city of Chicago -- have numerous lobbyists working on their behalf. If successful, they said, those efforts could siphon Rivers Casino customers and gaming-tax revenue.

"We have to combat fire with fire," Moylan said. "We have to have boots on the ground."

Under the current terms of the agreement that brought the state's 10th casino license to Des Plaines, the first $10 million in gaming-tax revenue goes to the state for the next 30 years.

Lobbyist Alfred Ronan told aldermen that the city's lobbying firms were able to convince legislators to include a provision in the last two unsuccessful gambling expansion bills that would reduce the state's share of Rivers Casino revenue by $3 million and $4 million, respectively.

After the state gets its cut of casino cash, 40 percent of the remaining revenue is sent to 10 economically distressed communities in the south and southwest suburbs.

For the second time this month, aldermen have raised questions about whether those communities are actively advocating for a casino of their own.

"They generally work through their representatives," Moylan told aldermen. "I'm not happy they're not working with us. The less we have, the less they get. They've got to understand that."

Des Plaines does have the ability to change which suburbs would get casino revenue, Bartholomew said. But doing so would require approval from the state gaming board and Rivers Casino ownership, and the city has not made any official moves to choose other towns to get the money.